31.1.11

I’m trying again with the remixing, hoping I’ve learned from last time. I’m making no promises that I’m going to complete the challenge, and I’m definitely making no promises about no shopping, because today is the last day of my own self-imposed no-shopping challenge (yay!).

Some of these items are repeats from last time, because it was definitely not my goal to pick 30 new items. There are also some doubles in there. But I think I picked items that will remix easily. Actually, I know that they will remix easily, because I’ve already planned out 30 outfits. Yes, I really am that anal.

28.1.11

Every week I take a look back at past Anthropologie catalogues and what I loved from then. (Thanks to Natalie for posting all the links.) I used to think that it’s impossible to find these pieces again, but thanks to Roxy’s trade market and eBay, anything is possible.

This is one of the most striking images from any Anthro catalogue. Love.

I tried both the bright berry and bright teal tights with this all-black ensemble and decided to go with the berry. I dunno, as much as I love teal, I’m not so keen on the teal legs.

I think I’ve touched on this before, but I have a very specific comfort zone when it comes to clothes. I don’t feel comfortable with crazy pattern- or colour-mixing. I gravitate towards a more neutral colour palette with frequent pops of bright colour. For a while, I tried to step outside the box and emulate the ladies who rock the bold colours and patterns, but I didn’t feel comfortable (I felt like everyone was staring at me, even though they probably weren’t), and more importantly, I didn’t feel like me. And you know what? I know now that that’s ok. I don’t have to wear anything I don’t feel comfortable in. Opaque black tights are classic, not boring. At least that’s what I tell myself.

To give credit where credit is due, the title of this post comes from the book of the same name by Claire Morrall. One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to read more; I’ve had this book for a while and I read it a few years ago, but I don’t remember any of it so I’m reading it again. So far, one resolution kept.

26.1.11

That sounds like pure torture to me. While I understand the exercise, it’s not something I want to try because I’ll never have only 6 pieces of clothing (knock on wood!), and I’ll probably be weeping from boredom after less than a week.

I’m probably nuts for doing it again, for these reasons: I found it stressful the last time, I’m not great at remixing, and February is not going to be a stress-free month with the packing and extra expenses and all the planning that’s required for our move into our new condo (assuming everything still goes as planned). But I still decided to give it a go again. As long as I plan in advance (boring and unspontaneous, perhaps), it might make my life easier. We’ll see. I have no problems giving it up if I have to.

So that’ll start on February 1. Here’s a pre-30-for-30 outfit. I may include the top in my 30, but the skirt isn’t the easiest to remix so I’ll probably leave it out this time.

25.1.11

I’m a huuuge Simpsons fan. Sometimes my fiancé and I joke that it’s the only thing that we have in common, and without them, we’d have to split up. I believe that there’s a Simpsons quote for every life situation, but of course my mind goes blank when I sit down to write this blog, and I can’t think of any. Otherwise every blog title might be one.

23.1.11

Will and I are a few steps closer to owning our first condo. It’s been crazy and stressful and frustrating (especially with our lawyer who doesn’t return calls or emails—listen, I realize that our small purchase may be small potatoes to you, but try to remember it’s hugely important to us), and at the same time really exciting. I’m almost a really-truly-for-real grownup! No more living in student digs! But once that mortgage is in place, I’ll never shop or travel again (sob).

So I’m not supposed to be shopping this month, and I’m not buying clothes or shoes or makeup this month, but does buying furniture count as breaking the no-shopping rule?

I’m a little bit (okay a lot) in love with west elm’s aesthetic. I love this upholstered tulip chair. But we didn’t buy it because we don’t know if it will fit, and what we really need is a new couch and a storage bed (the bedroom in the condo is so small there’s no room for a dresser).

And this couch, which is more expensive than the west elm sectional, but it’s also a sofabed. Most important thing I’ve learned about condo living: every piece of furniture must somehow double as something else, if possible.

There is still a chance that we won’t get the condo (offer has been accepted, conditional on financing), but we decided to go ahead and buy the couch and bed because they would work in our apartment anyway. The condo is going to happen though. I might cry if it doesn’t.

He says I’m “aggressively ruffled.” Maybe he feels threatened by ruffles. If that’s the case, I wonder how he’d feel if it were as ruffled as it is in the product & catalogue shots.

The Plaza Cardigan was one of the first Anthro pieces I bought in store, and still one of my favourites, although I kinda blame it for leading me down the slippery Anthro slope. But that was 2010; in 2011 I’ve yet to see anything at Anthro that I want (except maybe Tracy Reese’s Irresistible Maxi Dress, and that’s definitely just a fleeting fancy), and I’m not complaining. Gives me a chance to save up for something I really want!

Speaking of saving, my no-shop month is still going well. Almost over! I did go for my 3x a year pricey haircut this week though (not that it shows in this photo though). Does that count?

21.1.11

Every week I take a look back at past Anthropologie catalogues and what I loved from then. (Thanks to Natalie for posting all the links.) I used to think that it’s impossible to find these pieces again, but thanks to Roxy’s trade market and eBay, anything is possible.

about me

I wear skirts almost every day and I don't own a pair of dress pants. I believe there's a Simpsons quote for every life situation. I love big dogs and salted caramel (but not necessarily together). My favourite colour is turquoise. I shop, I eat, I read, I take photos. Who am I? Find out more.

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"Promises Like Pie-Crust", Christina Rossetti

Promise me no promises,So will I not promise you:Keep we both our liberties,Never false and never true:Let us hold the die uncast,Free to come as free to go:For I cannot know your past,And of mine what can you know?

You, so warm, may once have beenWarmer towards another one:I, so cold, may once have seenSunlight, once have felt the sun:Who shall show us if it wasThus indeed in time of old?Fades the image from the glass,And the fortune is not told.

If you promised, you might grieveFor lost liberty again:If I promised, I believeI should fret to break the chain.Let us be the friends we were,Nothing more but nothing less:Many thrive on frugal fareWho would perish of excess.